By Charles Muchiri
It is without a doubt that Kenyan Cardinal John Njue loves the youths. He seems to be so alive to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is at the hands of its innumerable youths – literally.
Perhaps that is why every other year since his elevation to the cardinalate in the year 2007, he easily chooses to celebrate the momentous Palm Sunday Mass, not with the Catholic Men Association (CMA) nor the Catholic Women Association (CWA) or even any other of his many flocks, but with the youths: The Archdiocese of Nairobi Youths: Offering them Mass; shepherding them; being their Bishop.
During this year’s Palm Sunday which was celebrated on April 17, thousands upon thousands of Youths from over 100 parishes spanning across Nairobi, Thika and Kiambu - which all form the larger Archdiocese of Nairobi - thronged St Mary’s Grounds, Msongari for this annual cerebration, which is usually marked by the Roman Catholic faithful Worldwide to mark the start of the Holy Week and by extension, the greatest liturgical period in the Church’s calendar, the Easter Holidays.
The Cardinal observed that being a youth comes with a lot of challenges, especially in the contemporary World but urged the young faithful to rely on God’s Graces while following after Jesus’ own example of humbleness, which was exemplified by his entry into Jerusalem, “Not in a big car, or a chariot, or a bicycle, or a boda boda, but on a simple donkey.’
In his Homily, the Cardinal pointed out that everybody is special in the eyes of God, and that the youths should not be put down by their current circumstances. “In any way, you are not garbage whatsoever; you are special before the eyes of God and you should always know that,” he said.
He urged the youths to take charge of their lives and live up to God’s expectations.
The Cardinal also took advantage of the huge youthful gathering to implore upon them to positively respond to religious calling.
“I urge you to be generous enough to God and to the Church, we need more priests and nuns and religious brothers. Who knows, my predecessor might just as well be seated right amongst this gathering, right here,” the Cardinal noted.
During the celebrations, the Cardinal flanked by the Archdiocese of Nairobi Youth Director, Fr Moses Kago officially launched this year’s Pope’s Message, which will be echoed during the upcoming World Youth Mass in Madrid, Spain later in August.
The message from the Holy See is titled ‘Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith’ and is inspired by the book of Colossians 2:7.
It is a deep ecclesial guidance by the Head of the Church to the World’s Roman Catholic Youths, put down on paper in six main parts and worded in a way that the youths can easily understand.
The message is a deep recognition of the youth’s importance and a source of positive energy for the Church. It reads in part: “Dear young people, the Church depends on you! She needs your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God,” Notes Pope Benedict the Xvi, in this encyclical which was penned on 6 August 2010, during the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Besides the Pope’s message, the Cardinal was also at hand to commission the newly elected Archdiocese of Nairobi Youth Office. The outgoing officials were also awarded with certificates, to recognize their effort as their term in office officially came to an end.
All said, this wasn’t any other ordinary day. Not when a sea of youthful Roman Catholics, joined hands, to celebrate the entry into Jerusalem of an equally youthful Savior, led by their very own Bishop who evidently has a heart for the Future Church.
Email this writer: muchirimuchoki@yahoo.com
It is without a doubt that Kenyan Cardinal John Njue loves the youths. He seems to be so alive to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is at the hands of its innumerable youths – literally.
Perhaps that is why every other year since his elevation to the cardinalate in the year 2007, he easily chooses to celebrate the momentous Palm Sunday Mass, not with the Catholic Men Association (CMA) nor the Catholic Women Association (CWA) or even any other of his many flocks, but with the youths: The Archdiocese of Nairobi Youths: Offering them Mass; shepherding them; being their Bishop.
During this year’s Palm Sunday which was celebrated on April 17, thousands upon thousands of Youths from over 100 parishes spanning across Nairobi, Thika and Kiambu - which all form the larger Archdiocese of Nairobi - thronged St Mary’s Grounds, Msongari for this annual cerebration, which is usually marked by the Roman Catholic faithful Worldwide to mark the start of the Holy Week and by extension, the greatest liturgical period in the Church’s calendar, the Easter Holidays.
The Cardinal observed that being a youth comes with a lot of challenges, especially in the contemporary World but urged the young faithful to rely on God’s Graces while following after Jesus’ own example of humbleness, which was exemplified by his entry into Jerusalem, “Not in a big car, or a chariot, or a bicycle, or a boda boda, but on a simple donkey.’
In his Homily, the Cardinal pointed out that everybody is special in the eyes of God, and that the youths should not be put down by their current circumstances. “In any way, you are not garbage whatsoever; you are special before the eyes of God and you should always know that,” he said.
He urged the youths to take charge of their lives and live up to God’s expectations.
The Cardinal also took advantage of the huge youthful gathering to implore upon them to positively respond to religious calling.
“I urge you to be generous enough to God and to the Church, we need more priests and nuns and religious brothers. Who knows, my predecessor might just as well be seated right amongst this gathering, right here,” the Cardinal noted.
During the celebrations, the Cardinal flanked by the Archdiocese of Nairobi Youth Director, Fr Moses Kago officially launched this year’s Pope’s Message, which will be echoed during the upcoming World Youth Mass in Madrid, Spain later in August.
The message from the Holy See is titled ‘Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith’ and is inspired by the book of Colossians 2:7.
It is a deep ecclesial guidance by the Head of the Church to the World’s Roman Catholic Youths, put down on paper in six main parts and worded in a way that the youths can easily understand.
The message is a deep recognition of the youth’s importance and a source of positive energy for the Church. It reads in part: “Dear young people, the Church depends on you! She needs your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God,” Notes Pope Benedict the Xvi, in this encyclical which was penned on 6 August 2010, during the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Besides the Pope’s message, the Cardinal was also at hand to commission the newly elected Archdiocese of Nairobi Youth Office. The outgoing officials were also awarded with certificates, to recognize their effort as their term in office officially came to an end.
All said, this wasn’t any other ordinary day. Not when a sea of youthful Roman Catholics, joined hands, to celebrate the entry into Jerusalem of an equally youthful Savior, led by their very own Bishop who evidently has a heart for the Future Church.
Email this writer: muchirimuchoki@yahoo.com
Comments
Post a Comment